Legal Definitions - Title IX

Title IX stands for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Title IX is a federal civil rights law in the United States that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This means that virtually all public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges, and universities that accept federal funds must comply with its provisions. The law's primary goal is to ensure equal access and opportunity for all students, regardless of their sex.

Discrimination prohibited by Title IX encompasses a wide range of actions, including:

• Unequal opportunities in athletics.
• Discrimination based on pregnancy or parental status.
• Sexual harassment, which can include unwelcome sexual conduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
• Failure to provide an equitable environment free from sex-based harassment or violence.

Here are some examples illustrating how Title IX applies:

• Example 1: Equal Athletic Opportunities

  Imagine a large public high school that offers a wide array of sports for boys, including football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling. However, for girls, the school only provides volleyball and cheerleading, despite a demonstrated interest from female students for sports like soccer or track and field. If the school receives federal funding, its failure to provide comparable athletic opportunities for girls, based on their sex, would likely be a violation of Title IX. The law requires equitable opportunities, not necessarily identical sports, but a fair distribution of resources and opportunities.

• Example 2: Pregnancy Discrimination

  Consider a university student who becomes pregnant during her sophomore year. Her professor for a required course tells her that she will not be able to complete the coursework or participate in an upcoming field trip due to her pregnancy, and suggests she take a leave of absence or drop out. If the university receives federal funding, this action would be a direct violation of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination against students based on pregnancy or related conditions. The university must provide reasonable accommodations to allow pregnant students to continue their education.

• Example 3: Response to Sexual Harassment

  A college student reports to campus authorities that she has been repeatedly subjected to unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate comments by a fellow student in her dormitory. Despite her report, the college administration fails to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation, allows the alleged harasser to continue living in the same dorm, and does not offer the reporting student any support or protective measures. This inadequate response by a federally funded institution to a credible report of sexual harassment could constitute a Title IX violation, as the law mandates that schools take appropriate steps to address and prevent sex-based harassment and violence.